Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Zip Lines at Deep Creek Lake
Zip Lines Deep Creek Lake
Last night I had the opportunity to try out the new Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour at Wisp Resort. It was the best hour of excitment that I have experienced this spring. After a short trip up the conveyor belt at the snow tubing park you have your first crash course in zip lining on two very short training runs. Next you get to climb a rope ladder up to your first platform for a fun descent through the trees next to the famous mountain coaster. The feeling of flying through the air on a zip lines is both calming and exhilarating at the same time. After conquering the first three runs and walking over a few cable bridges it’s time for you to experience the tallest, longest, and fastest run of the tour. You are standing on a little platform over 50’ off the ground overlooking the most amazing views of Deep Creek Lake. After a few safety checks by a knowledgeable Wisp staff it’s time to launch across a 400’ zip trip which takes you the width of the entire tubing park. This will surely get your motors running! Finish up with another long zip run and slide into home plate with your endorphins cranking maximum RPM’s. Well worth the $39 for admission.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
The Taylor-Made Vacations and Sales are proud to introduce Bob Holcomb as an integral part of our team. After 23 years of working around the world in golf course construction, the epiphany in Holcomb’s career came when he was hired to supervise the construction of Lodestone Golf Club at Wisp Resort. He subsequently fell in love with Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County. “I haven’t experienced any place that offers the variety of activities such as fishing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, snowmobiling and hiking”.
Jack Nicklaus Bob Holcomb
Bob has had a lucrative career working with some of the world’s legendary golf design greats, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Fred Couples, Rees Jones and most recently… Hale Irwin, at Lodestone private course atop Wisp Mountain near Deep Creek Lake.
Arnold Palmer Bob Holcomb
While the world’s greatest courses are typically designed by these legends, its guys like Holcomb who take the blueprints and bend them to fit the earth. The result is “a very artistic interpretation of the plans,” Holcomb said. “Having experienced different design philosophies, its enjoyable for me to apply this knowledge in the field…it’s like a hybrid in your mind”. Bob has gained acclaim as perhaps the industry’s finest in golf course construction. His creativity led one architect to describe him as “Picasso” using the earth as his canvas.
Fred Couples Bob Holcomb
He has shaped or reshaped courses that have hosted some of the world’s mightiest tournaments, including Hazeltine, the Atlanta Athletic Club (which hosted both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship), the critically acclaimed Brandon Dunes in Oregon and The Victoria in Portugal (which was host of the 2005 World Championship World Cup and the Portuguese Masters).
arnold palmer bob holcomb
Bob’s role with the Spiker Team and Long & Foster will center on Real Estate Sales, as well as being available for questions at Lodestone Golf Information Centers. Please feel free to talk with Bob and learn the Lodestone “behind the scenes” stories that relate the process that blends the brute force of heavy equipment to rip the earth like bulls, then sculpt it like plastic surgeons.
David McLay Kidd Bob HolcombHale Irwin and Bob Holcomb Lodestone
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Lodestone Golf Course Opening May 1, 2010
When word broke of the new Lodestone trial membership opportunity there have been a lot of questions regarding the timeline for the golf course opening. I just spoke to Karen Myers, general partner of Wisp Resort Development, Inc., and she has informed me that the front nine will start play tomorrow, Saturday, May 1st 2010 for Lodestone members and trial members.
#3 Lodestone Golf Club
Lodestone Golf Club play is also available for visitors to try out, for a greens fee of course. For more information you can contact the Membership & Club Director, Karen Forsythe, at 301.616.4035.
The back nine is scheduled to open tentatively in early June, and already has golfers chompin’ at the bit!!
Also, I have been informed that Hale Irwin will be here to christen the back nine July 9th & 10th. Members and trial members will be a part of a small entourage that will be allowed to walk with Hale as he plays for the 1st time a certain classic.
Sign up now and don’t miss your opportunity to play summer golf on this masterpiece, and have a chance to meet Hale Irwin. Feel free to call me, Bob Holcomb 240.321.5335, if you have any questions about the design, construction process of Lodestone Golf Club.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Karen Myers inducted in the Maryland Business Hall of Fame
Last night I was fortunate enough to attend the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award Ceremonies. Deep Creek Lake native and a 10th generation Frazee, Karen Frazee Myers, was inducted into Maryland’s Business Hall of Fame. Karen was recognized by her peers for her decades of promotion of the one-time sleepy Deep Creek Lake/Garrett County area, which has become a go-to destination for Mid-Atlantic residents.
Karen Myers Business Hall of Fame
Karen’s “nose to grindstone” work ethic has bloomed several successful businesses throughout her lengthy career. Her flourishing businesses, Mountaineer Log & Siding www.mountaineerlog.com, Wisp Ski & Golf Resort www.wispresort.com, Deep Creek Marina www.deepcreekmarina.com, and real estate business are products of her relentless determination.
Even during the big moment in her life, Karen still recognizes her partners, her family, her friends and her employee’s who have supported her through sometimes difficult years. Her resiliency through the hard times (and the good times) along with her insight into what would make her endeavors successful has paid off long term.
Karen’s career really started 35 years ago in the real estate business when the lake was “undiscovered” as a resort and second home destination. It took many years for Karen to put Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake on a mainstream map.
Her daughter, Betsy Spiker, took over the reigns from her mother to become Deep Creek Lake’s trusted real estate guru.
She has mentored her children throughout their lives to be positive community role models and successful business leaders. Her son, Adrian Spiker, has taken a dream of creating the best marina in Deep Creek Lake and made it a reality. She has influenced and guided him into making the most thriving marina on the lake.
“Not too bad for a country girl” says Karen Myers at the awards podium in Baltimore, Maryland. Not too bad at all for a woman who grew up in a family from White Rock who exceeded, by anybody’s standards, personal success…business success…family success…community success…spiritual success… I have been fortunate to be in Karen’s circle for the past 3 years and understand and respect why the State of Maryland has chose to recognize this special woman with such a prestigious honor.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite RealtorWisp Community Yard Sale Deep Creek Lake
Wisp Community Yard Sale at Deep Creek Lake
Have you had a chance to get the garage cleaned out and finish your spring cleaning? Chances are you have a bunch of stuff cluttering your house, we all do. You know how the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure (or woman’s for that matter)”. “Trash” can be substituted with “cool stuff”. Wisp Resort has a solution to your muddled garages and storage areas. Rent a table and bring things that you have no need for to sell them to people who may love them. Kind of recycling if you may. I can tell you from past events to get there early because you will be rewarded with a vast selection of “stuff” that you will throw down the green for.
On May 18th 9:00am – 3:00pm they will be holding a garage sale for your extra items that will surely help it find a home. Who knows, you may find some neat things and come home with more than you bring. Tables will be rented to host your sale, or just drop by to go shopping. Call 301-387-4911 to reserve your site!
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
10 for 10 at Wisp Resort , Deep Creek Lake
10 for 10 at Wisp Resort Deep Creek Lake. It doesn’t get any better than this!! Ten delicious dishes for only $10 dollars each at DC’s Wisp Resort! It’s hard to believe you can eat this good for such an affordable price. What’s the point of cooking at home anymore?
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
So this is it, the last weekend of skiing at Wisp Resort in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. March’s warm temperatures have encouraged us to put away the skiis, sleds, snowshovels and boots but there’s a pretty cool opportunity presenting itself this weekend with the help of the awesome weather brought by Mother Nature and Wisp Resort’s promise to keep us skiing until Easter.
Shredding Wisp Resort
Imagine this…taking runs on the ski slopes in 80 degree temperatures, then suiting up in your spring wetsuit to take the first passes of the season on DCL with your wakeboard or waterskiis. All in the same day, that is. I’m sold! A very cool proposition we’ve been given by some local thrill seekers. That’s where you’ll find me tomorrow. Slopes at 11:00 and lake at 12:00.. Happy Easter!
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
With just under a month left to ski at Wisp Ski Resort, the Cardboard Box Derby is on everyone’s radar this coming weekend. I have been in attendance the last two years and I have been in awe of the creative design and the speed of the entries. I have seen fire engines, ambulances, motorcycles, bi-planes, and even the Flintstones car straight out of Bedrock. The fun really starts when the contestants saddle up on their cardboard, duct tape, and string creations. This year, Long and Foster Manager Bob Carney and I are trying to build an aero-dynamic speed demon to dominate the speed category. Win or lose, everyone competing or spectating understands that we are doing this to raise money for the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club Blind Skiers Program.
Cardboard Box Derby
There are three categories by which the entries will be judged: 1.) Design, 2.) Speed, 3.) Judges Choice. The fun starts at 1:00PM at the Bear Claw Tubing Park on Saturday March 20th. Bring your family and friends and come experience a fun afternoon watching cardboard creations wrapped with miles of duct tape taking center stage for this gratifying cause. If you are interested in participating you still have time.
Here are the rules:
1. Boxes may be constructed only of cardboard, tape and string.
2. Decorations, painting and flags are permitted and encouraged.
3. Push-off at Start by non-rider is permitted.
4. No limit on number of passengers or size of box.
5. Participants are asked to remove boxes/remnants at finish of race.
6. Each entry will run individually against the clock.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lake Ski Season Update. What an amazing weekend we’ve just experienced at Deep Creek Lake! The skies were blue and the slopes were nothing but corduroy. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions. If you think you’ve had your fill of winter, the last 4 days of sunshine will make you appreciate the exhilaration of spring skiing.
A record snowfall of 262+ inches will easily carry us well into April (and probably even June!), but the one month alarm has just sounded. Wisp Resort will remain open through Easter weekend allowing us 4 more weekends of fun on the slopes. The fresh powder we’ve had has been a dream, but there’s also something to be said for skiing without all those layers. Then again, who’s to say we won’t see one more snowstorm! 🙂
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
News Release…Record Snow Fall at Deep Creek Lake May Result in Unprecedented Spring Melt
Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station to Lower Lake Levels; Lake Users Encouraged to Take Extra Safety Precautions
March 3, 2010, Oakland, MD – Sooner or later the record snow fall at Deep Creek Lake must melt and that could cause a record spring runoff. To a limited extent, Deep Creek Lake levels can be controlled by the Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station which operates under a Water Appropriation and Use permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Under the permit conditions, the Station, which is owned by Brookfield Renewable Power, uses water to generate hydropower, but keeps Lake levels within a defined “rule band” with upper and lower limits. This year’s unprecedented snow fall will likely result in an unprecedented snow melt, particularly if temperatures warm quickly.
To avoid serious and potentially damaging high water conditions at the dam and on the Lake, the Maryland Department of the Environment has approved Brookfield’s request to draw the Lake level down two feet below its permitted March lower limit. The draw down, which began on March 1, will take place gradually, with a maximum of 0.5 feet reduction per day. David Barnhart, General Manager for Brookfield’s Mid-America Operations said, “Together with MDE, we are doing what we can to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of the spring thaw. As this winter proves, you never know what Mother Nature will throw you and an early, sustained thaw may result in higher than usual water levels.”
The lowered water levels beneath the ice cover, combined with warming temperatures, pose unpredictable risks to recreational users of Deep Creek Lake. Carolyn Mathews, Manager of the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area advises, “People should remember that there are always hazards to recreating on naturally-formed ice. Lowering the Lake to make additional storage space for the anticipated above normal spring runoff may destabilize the Lake’s ice and we urge everyone to take special care to stay safe.”
The MDE, Brookfield, and the Department of Natural Resources continue to monitor the Lake levels and weather conditions to determine whether additional actions for safety of recreational users may be required. Lake levels can be found at www.deepcreekhydro.com.
(Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Brookfield Renewable Power Inc., Maryland Department of the Environment)
